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DoT Exploring Changes to Hwy 8/47 Intersection in Rhinelander Published on 12/06/2017 under News

The Department of Transportation is considering a reconstruction of a busy intersection in the Rhinelander area.

That project will focus on the intersection of US Highway 8 and Wisconsin Highway 47. According to the announcement, the project is slated for 2019.

While pavement deterioration and drainage under the intersection are two factors on the decision, safety concerns are another. The DoT says between 2012 and 2016, there were 28 crashes at that intersection leading to 8 injuries and 1 death. They noted that a majority of the crashes were the result of left turning vehicles.

Among the considerations for the project is the possibility of placing a roundabout at the intersection. Another is to simply modify the intersection while keeping traditional traffic lights.

As part of the planning process for the project, the DoT will be holding a public input session coming up next Tuesday in Rhinelander. We'll have that information in our community calendar.

In Other News

City of Tomahawk Approves Annual ‘Nuisance Deer’ Bow Hunt

Published on 09/10/2026 under News With bow deer season just a few days away, Tomahawk will once again hold a nuisance deer hunt within city limits. The Common Council formally approved the resolution during a special meeting Wednesday. This does not mean hunters will be walking down Main Street this fall. The city designates specific zones where the nuisance hunt is and isn't permitted, with most allowed areas located along rural stretches of land within city boundaries. While participation and harvest numbers vary each year, a typical season yields fewer than ten registered deer. Following the season's conclusion, the Nuisance Animal Committee plans to reconvene to review the data. Twenty-five tags are available, and participants must register with the Tomahawk Police Department while following standard Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulations. The nuisance hunt runs concurrently with the statewide archery season, which opens Saturday and extends into early January.

Published on 09/10/2026 under News Civil War buffs will test their marksmanship in the Rhinelander area this weekend during a unique regional shooting event. The American Civil War Shooting Association (ACWSA) is hosting the Rhinelander Memorial Skirmish on Saturday and Sunday in Pelican Lake. The ACWSA brings historical reenactors together to compete in timed team events and individual marksmanship matches. Participants, many dressed in period-appropriate uniforms, will use Civil War–era firearms including revolvers and muskets to shoot at breakable targets and paper bullseyes, competing for top honors. Beyond the friendly competition, the association aims to preserve Civil War history and educate the public on the era's weaponry and tactics. Several local shooters are slated to participate in this weekend's skirmish, one of the final matches of the season. The public is invited to attend, admission is free. Organizers advise spectators to bring ear and eye protection. A schedule and additional details can be found on their website.

Published on 09/10/2026 under News A Wausau man who pleaded guilty to defrauding nearly 190 investors out of more than $14 million has been ordered to serve eight years in federal prison and repay his victims. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, 64-year-old Stanley Pophal was sentenced last week for running a years-long investment fraud scheme through his company, Bright with Silver, Inc. Prosecutors say that between 2019 and 2025, Pophal promised investors returns of at least 20 percent through ventures involving cryptocurrency, real estate, artificial intelligence, precious metals, and gemstones. Instead, authorities say Pophal used the majority of the funds to support his personal lifestyle and maintain a Ponzi-style scheme. Investigators seized more than 600 items purchased with investor funds including hundreds of snowmobiles stored in a rented warehouse. These are being auctioned off to help satisfy the roughly $14 million in court-ordered restitution.

Published on 09/10/2026 under News A planned live debate between candidates for Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District will not take place. WJFW Newswatch 12 announced the cancellation of its September 29 forum featuring Democratic nominee Fred Clark and Republican nominee Michael Alfonso. According to the station, Clark agreed to participate, but Alfonso declined. Because the event was designed as a head-to-head forum, station management decided not to move forward. "We believe voters deserve the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates seeking to represent them in Congress," said WJFW News Director Geoff Weller. "We appreciate Fred Clark's willingness to participate and regret that we will not be able to provide viewers with the debate we had planned."

Published on 09/09/2026 under News The Town of Nokomis is considering expanding its fire station to provide living quarters for the 24/7 ambulance crew housed at the facility. Coming up on Thursday, they'll be hosting another public information meeting. Earlier this week, we had Firefighter Russ Berg and Town Supervisor Bette Stillman on the Morning Conversation to provide some background and status. Built in 2002, the Nokomis Fire Station expanded to include EMS services in 2009. In recent years, paramedic shift rotations shifted from 12-hour to 24-hour schedules. Currently, the Medic 4 crew relies on cots or air mattresses in a non-code-compliant area. Due to safety regulations, at least one crew member must remain awake at all times under the current setup. To provide suitable accommodations, a town committee recommended building a station addition that would feature dedicated bedrooms, office space, and a shared living area. While the 24/7 staffing model has successfully reduced local ambulance response times, some residents have voiced concerns regarding the project's overall cost. If approved, the town plans to offset expenses by pursuing USDA Rural Development loans, grants, and community fundraising. Thursday's session marks the town's second public information meeting following an initial gathering last month. The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Nokomis Fire Station and will feature a formal presentation followed by a Q&A segment for residents. No official decisions or votes will take place during the meeting. And we've got that conversation with Russ and Bette posted in the WJJQ Audio Center.

Published on 09/09/2026 under News Science education is getting a competitive boost in Tomahawk. On Tuesday, the Tomahawk School Board voted unanimously to approve a new high school Science Olympiad Club, opening up fresh hands-on opportunities for local STEM students. The initiative was introduced by Heather Goldberg, an Alternative Education teacher new to the district who previously built a successful Science Olympiad program at Lakeland Union High School. Goldberg pitched the program as a "track meet for academics," where students compete across 23 distinct events. Competitions fall into three main categories: written academic tests, hands-on lab experiments, and engineering design challenges. Past building events have tasked students with constructing efficient balsa wood towers engineered for load-bearing tests or crafting rubber-band-powered flight devices. Students will prepare using weekly resource periods, independent study groups, and after-school practice sessions. Beyond the academic challenge, Goldberg emphasized that the club gives non-traditional student-athletes a place to belong, build teamwork skills, and explore potential career paths. Startup costs for the district are minimal, with additional expenses to be covered through local grants and student fundraisers. Following Goldberg's presentation, the board gave the official green light for team formation and recruitment to begin.

Published on 09/09/2026 under News September marks National Suicide Prevention Month; a dedicated effort to raise awareness, end stigmas, and connect individuals with life-saving resources if needed. On September 8, local mental health organizations joined national voices to highlight the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides free, confidential support 24/7 by calling or texting 988. This year's national campaign theme, "988 Reasons: Your reason is reason enough," delivers a powerful message: you do not need to reach a breaking point to ask for help. Whether navigating severe emotional distress, substance use challenges, grief, anxiety, or general life stressors, compassionate support is readily available. Since transitioning from its original ten-digit hotline to the streamlined, three-digit 988 code, the lifeline has expanded rapidly, successfully answering millions of calls, texts, and online chats nationwide. Throughout the remainder of September, local advocacy groups will continue sharing educational resources and hosting events to promote these critical services. Together, these efforts ensure that everyone in the community knows help is always just three digits away.

Published on 09/09/2026 under News As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, so does the demand for a reliable charging network. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) recently announced a new round of grant funding to construct fast-charging stations across the state, including several key locations in the Northwoods. The funding is provided through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. According to WisDOT, the new fast-charging stations will help ensure residents and tourists alike have dependable infrastructure to travel seamlessly throughout Wisconsin. In total, 42 locations will share $25 million in funding. Northwoods additions include new stations in Eagle River and Wausau, which will be housed at Days Inn locations off Highway 45 and Highway 51/I-39, respectively. These build upon grants awarded last year for charging infrastructure in Arbor Vitae, Prentice, and Merrill. The stations are positioned along Wisconsin's designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, typically partnering with gas stations, restaurants, or lodging to support more than 43,000 registered Wisconsin EVs alongside out-of-state travelers. A complete map of all existing and planned charging locations is available on WisDOT's interactive EV dashboard online.

Published on 09/09/2026 under News With the calendar now turned to September, fall hunting openers are fast approaching. Today marks the official start of Wisconsin's black bear season. According to a preview from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the state is home to roughly 24,000 black bears. While populations remain most concentrated in forested northern regions, bears have continually expanded their range southward in recent years. Last year, hunters registered approximately 3,700 bears. That's a drop from a highly productive 2024 harvest, but right on par with the state's five-year average. Demand for licenses remains high. This year, more than 34,000 applicants vied for one of the 15,245 available bear licenses, while another 106,000 people opted to purchase a preference point to boost their drawing odds in future lotteries. DNR officials remind hunters to verify their specific management zone and review all applicable regulations prior to heading into the field, as rules vary by region and date regarding the use of hunting aids like bait and dogs. Under Wisconsin's current management plan, the state is split into six zones. Three Zones, A, B, and C, intersect right here in Lincoln County.

Published on 09/09/2026 under News Tiny mushrooms, a patient angler, a dock extending into the morning fog, and a deer appearing to walk on water were among the top winning subjects in a local photography competition. Each summer, the Friends of Council Grounds State Park hosts its annual amateur photo contest, inviting submissions from park visitors near and far. After drawing more than 30 initial entries, organizers narrowed down the field, and community members cast nearly 1,300 ballots in the final round of public voting. Lydia Lehnertz of Eau Claire won the plants category with a detailed shot of green elf cup fungi growing on a log, while Allison Heckendorf of Merrill took top honors in the "People Using the Park" category with a portrait of a angler at work. Melissa Tremaine won the landscape division with her scenic submission titled "Foggy Morn," and Daniel Hinz claimed first in wildlife with a photo capturing a deer wading through a shallow section of the river. The Friends group expressed its appreciation to everyone who entered and supported this year's contest. Organizers encourage future park visitors to keep their cameras ready during upcoming trips to capture moments for next year's competition. The finalist photos are available for viewing on the official Friends of Council Grounds Facebook page.

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